This article can be used as a guide for the varying transaction settlement and processing timelines, incoming and outgoing, for all transaction types.
This article will also outline what information is required to track incoming and outgoing ACH payments and wires (domestic and international).
Internal transfers
Internal transfers (i.e., transfers between business checking or savings accounts, or between two Relay business accounts) will be processed and ready for use immediately.
| Transaction Type | Settlement Timeframe | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Internal Transfers | Immediate | Between Relay checking/savings accounts or between two Relay business accounts. |
| Most transactions use business days for processing; bank holidays may delay settlement. | ||
ACH payments
| Transaction Type | Settlement Timeframe | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Incoming ACH | Varies by sender | Funds are available upon receipt. Trace ID from sender required for tracking delays. |
| ACH Add Funds (Inbound) | 1–3 business days (up to 5) | From a linked external U.S. account. The same timeline applies to outbound ACH via a linked external account. |
| Outgoing ACH (Next-day) | 1–2 business days | Trace ID available in transaction details for recipient tracking. |
| Outgoing ACH (Same-day) | Same day if before 3pm EST; otherwise next business day | Trace ID available in transaction details for recipient tracking. |
| Most transactions use business days for processing; bank holidays may delay settlement. | ||
Incoming ACH payments
If you're expecting to receive an ACH into your Relay account, the sending institution will have the most visibility into the timeline for those funds to land in your account. As soon as the ACH reaches Relay, it will be immediately made available to you.
For more information on timelines for incoming ACH transactions, please check with the sender/sending institution for accurate timelines and please allow until the end of the calendar day to receive the payment into Relay.
If your ACH payment has yet to be received and the expected processing timeline has passed, please contact our Customer Experience team with the 15-digit Trace ID which can be obtained from the sending institution, and we may be able to assist with tracking. Please also be sure to provide the transaction amount, the date it was sent, and the last four digits of the checking account you're expecting to receive the ACH into.
ACH Add Funds
Adding funds to your Relay account from a linked external U.S. bank account is considered an ACH Add Funds transaction. These generally take 1–3 business days to settle, but may take up to 5 business days on some occasions. This same timeline also applies to outgoing ACH payments sent to external accounts when initiated through a linked external account. For faster settlement times, we recommend initiating the payment from the sending institution.
Outgoing ACH payments (next-day)
Outgoing next-day ACH payments take 1-2 business days if sent before 10:30pm EST. Same-day ACHs sent after 10:30pm EST will process the next business day at the 1-2 business day settlement timeline.
If the payee wishes to track this payment with their bank, please click on the ACH payment in question within your Relay account and copy the 15-digit Trace ID located under the transaction details. This can be provided to the recipient for tracking.
Outgoing ACH payments (same-day)
Same-day ACH payments sent will arrive in the receiving account by the end of the same business day that the payment was sent if sent before 4:15pm EST. Same-day ACHs sent after 4:15pm EST will arrive by the end of the following business day.
If the payee wishes to track this payment with their bank, please click on the ACH payment in question within your Relay account and copy the 15-digit Trace ID located under the transaction details. This can be provided to the recipient for tracking.
Domestic wires
| Transaction Type | Settlement Timeframe | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Incoming Domestic Wire | Varies by sender | Funds are available upon receipt. IMAD/OMAD from the sender is required for tracking. Some may arrive after hours. |
| Outgoing Domestic Wire | Same day if before 5:40pm EST; otherwise next business day | IMAD/OMAD is available in transaction details (under Transfer Details) for recipient tracking. |
| Most transactions use business days for processing; bank holidays may delay settlement. | ||
Incoming domestic wires
If you're expecting to receive a domestic wire into your Relay account, the sending institution will have the most visibility into the timeline for those funds to land in your account.
For more information on timelines for incoming domestic wires, please check with the sender/sending institution for accurate timelines and please give until the end of the calendar day to receive the wire into Relay.
If your domestic wire has yet to be received and the expected processing timeline has passed, please contact our Customer Experience team with the IMAD/OMAD numbers which can be obtained from the sending institution, and we may be able to assist with tracking. Please also be sure to provide the transaction amount, the date it was sent, and the last four digits of the checking account you're expecting to receive the wire into.
Please note: some domestic wires can be received after business hours.
Outgoing domestic wires
Domestic wires will be sent out every hour before 5:40 pm EST and will arrive on the same business day. Domestic wires sent after 5:40 pm EST will arrive by the end of the following business day.
If the wire recipient wishes to track this payment with their bank, you can locate the IMAD/OMAD tracking information by navigating to your posted transactions, clicking into the transaction, and noting the tracking info under Transfer Details.
International wires
| Transaction Type | Settlement Timeframe | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Incoming International Wire | Varies by sender | Funds available upon receipt. MT103 or PACS008 from the sender is required for tracking delays. |
| Outgoing International Wire (SWIFT) | Sent in 2–3 business days; usually arrives in 5–7 business days | Timeline may vary based on intermediaries. MT103 or PACS008 is available for tracking. |
| Outgoing International Wire (Local Network) | Sent in 0–3 business days; arrival varies by region | Depends on the local network used and the receiving bank. |
| Most transactions use business days for processing; bank holidays may delay settlement. | ||
Incoming international wires
If you're expecting to receive an international wire into your Relay account, the sending institution will have the most visibility into the timeline for those funds to land in your account. As soon as the wire reaches Relay, it will be immediately made available to you.
For more information on timelines for incoming international wires, please check with the sender/sending institution for accurate timelines and please give until the end of the calendar day to receive the wire into Relay.
If your international wire has yet to be received and the expected processing timeline has passed, please contact our Customer Experience team with the MT103 or PACS008 which can be obtained from the sending institution, and we may be able to assist with tracking. Please also be sure to provide the transaction amount, the date it was sent, and the last four digits of the checking account you're expecting to receive the wire into.
Outgoing international wires
International wires sent through the Swift Network are typically sent from Relay within 2-3 business days and usually arrive in the recipient's account in 5-7 business days, however, this timeline may vary depending on any intermediary institution(s) involved.
International wires sent through the Local Network are typically sent within 0-3 business days, however, the exact timing varies from region to region based on the speed of the local payment network.
If the wire recipient wishes to track this payment with their bank, please contact our Customer Experience team to request the MT103 or PACS008 for your outgoing international wire, which you can then provide to the recipient.
Checks
| Transaction Type | Settlement Timeframe | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Check Deposit | Up to 7 business days | Processing begins the same day if before 3pm EST; otherwise next business day. Funds available end of the final day. |
| Outgoing Check Payment | 8–10 business days | Via Relay mailing check service; arrival at recipient's address. |
| Most transactions use business days for processing; bank holidays may delay settlement. | ||
Check deposits
Check deposits can take up to 7 business days to process. Please note that the first business day will only begin on the same day for checks deposited before 3pm EST. Processing for checks deposited after 3pm EST will begin on the following business day. On the final day of processing please note that it may take the full day to complete processing and thus funds will only be available at the end of the day.
Outgoing check payments
Check payments sent using the Relay mailing check service take 8-10 business days to arrive at the recipient's mailing address.
Bank holidays
Most transactions use business days for processing. If your transaction is delayed, please double-check that it was sent before any relevant cutoff time(s) and that no bank holidays may have caused a delay.